ADNAN OKTAR: Our Prime Minister made another statement;I thought to myself that after Ataturk, he is the greatest leader. I sincerely thought about it. This is not a compliment, because he turned out to be more astute than Turgut Özal. They said, “Turgut Özal after Atatürk.” But in my opinion he is Tayyip Erdoğan. He turned out to be more astute than Turgut Özal. They said, “Turgut Özal after Atatürk. But I think that person is Mr. Erdoğan.” He deserved this, masha’Allah. He put everything in order. He has great courage, masha’Allah. He is also very sincere. He speaks very intelligently. He is an eloquent speaker.

A9 TV: December 1st, 2012

ADNAN OKTAR: I do not merely make a compliment, I am expressing my sincere opinion. There is no other leader after Mr. Erdogan. This is really the case. He is also not boastful, he is really modest, he is mild. But when we analyze them technically, we see that there is no other prime minister in the history of the Republic.Well-done to him. He is a person who very beautifully grasps the spiritual mood of our people. There has been no other person before, masha’Allah.

A9 TV: December 7th, 2012

ADNAN OKTAR: Our Prime Minister is a brave person, he is a modest person. He does everything for the good of his people.My sincere conviction is that he is the best prime minister in the history of the republic.

16 May 2013, Enson Haber

Erdogan listed in Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers 2012

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu were named on Foreign Policy's “Top 100 Global Thinkers 2012” list as Turkey emerges as a key regional player at a time when the Middle East is facing massive transformation triggered by the Arab Spring.

The international magazine picked the two names for the role they have played in regional affairs, especially in the unfolding crisis in war-torn Syria.

The magazine underlines Erdoğan's significance by saying that "Turkey under Erdoğan's leadership has emerged as the Middle East's indispensable power, grappling with the region's struggles over identity and religion in a way no American politician ever could." It points out that Turkey's unique position, culture and history make the country “an ideal bridge between East and West.”